{"id":774,"date":"2016-08-02T08:10:56","date_gmt":"2016-08-02T02:40:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pheonixsolutions.com\/blog\/?p=774"},"modified":"2026-09-07T17:34:42","modified_gmt":"2026-09-07T12:04:42","slug":"ipmi-firmware-upgrade-supermicro","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pheonixsolutions.com\/blog\/ipmi-firmware-upgrade-supermicro\/","title":{"rendered":"IPMI Firmware Upgrade &#8211; Supermicro"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) provides remote management capabilities for Supermicro servers, including hardware monitoring, remote console access, and power management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keeping the IPMI firmware updated can help maintain compatibility, stability, and access to available firmware improvements. This guide explains how to upgrade the IPMI firmware on a Supermicro motherboard through the IPMI web interface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is highly recommended to perform this maintenance when the operating system is installed on the server and <code>ipmicfg<\/code> is available. If the IPMI interface becomes unavailable during or after the upgrade, <code>ipmicfg<\/code> can be used to help bring the interface back up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Prerequisites<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before starting the IPMI firmware upgrade, make sure:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You have access to the Supermicro IPMI interface.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You know the motherboard\/model version.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You have downloaded the correct IPMI firmware for the motherboard.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><code>ipmicfg<\/code> is installed on the server if recovery or IPMI configuration is required.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You have stable network connectivity to the IPMI interface.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A maintenance window is available for the upgrade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Important:<\/strong> Make sure the firmware package exactly matches your Supermicro motherboard and IPMI controller. Installing incompatible firmware can cause the IPMI interface to become unavailable.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Implementation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1: Log in to the IPMI Interface<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Open a web browser and log in to the IPMI interface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can also use the <strong>IPMIVIEW<\/strong> tool to access the IPMI interface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 2: Open Firmware Update<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After logging in to IPMI, navigate to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Maintenance \u2192 Firmware Update<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Select:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Enter Update Mode<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pheonixsolutions.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/image.png\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"604\" src=\"https:\/\/pheonixsolutions.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/image-1024x604.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pheonixsolutions.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/image-1024x604.png 1024w, https:\/\/pheonixsolutions.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/image-300x177.png 300w, https:\/\/pheonixsolutions.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/image-768x453.png 768w, https:\/\/pheonixsolutions.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/image.png 1096w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This will put the IPMI controller into firmware update mode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 3: Download the Correct Firmware<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Download the required firmware version from the Supermicro support page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Make sure you identify the correct <strong>motherboard model\/version<\/strong> before downloading the firmware. The firmware should correspond to the specific motherboard and IPMI controller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 4: Upload the Firmware<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Select the downloaded firmware file in the firmware update interface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Click:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Upload Firmware<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pheonixsolutions.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/image-1.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"648\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/pheonixsolutions.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/image-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11481\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pheonixsolutions.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/image-1.png 648w, https:\/\/pheonixsolutions.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/image-1-300x181.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 648px) 100vw, 648px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The firmware will be uploaded to the IPMI interface for validation and installation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 5: Verify the Firmware Versions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before starting the upgrade, verify:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Existing firmware version<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>New firmware version<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Selected firmware file<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Preserve Configuration<\/strong> option<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Make sure <strong>Preserve Configuration<\/strong> is selected if you want to retain the existing IPMI configuration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once everything has been verified, click:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Start Upgrade<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pheonixsolutions.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/image-2.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"587\" height=\"332\" src=\"https:\/\/pheonixsolutions.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/image-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11482\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pheonixsolutions.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/image-2.png 587w, https:\/\/pheonixsolutions.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/image-2-300x170.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 587px) 100vw, 587px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 6: Wait for the Upgrade to Complete<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Allow the firmware upgrade process to finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wait until the progress reaches <strong>100%<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The IPMI controller will automatically reboot after the upgrade. The IPMI interface should become available again once the reboot process is complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 7: Verify IPMI Access<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After the IPMI controller has restarted:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Open the IPMI interface again.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Log in using your existing credentials.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Verify that the expected IPMI network configuration is still present.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check the firmware version to confirm that the upgrade was successful.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the IPMI interface is unavailable, <code>ipmicfg<\/code> can be useful for checking and configuring the IPMI interface from the operating system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Upgrading the IPMI firmware on a Supermicro server can be performed through the IPMI web interface using the <strong>Maintenance \u2192 Firmware Update<\/strong> option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before starting the upgrade, always verify the motherboard model and select the appropriate firmware. Keeping <strong>Preserve Configuration<\/strong> enabled can help retain the existing IPMI configuration. After the upgrade reaches 100%, the IPMI controller will reboot and should become available again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. What is IPMI firmware?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">IPMI firmware controls the functionality of the server&#8217;s hardware management controller and enables features such as remote management, monitoring, and power control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Where can I upgrade Supermicro IPMI firmware?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The firmware can be upgraded through the IPMI web interface under:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Maintenance \u2192 Firmware Update<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Why should I verify the motherboard model before upgrading?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Supermicro provides firmware packages for specific motherboard and IPMI controller combinations. Using the wrong firmware can cause compatibility issues or make the IPMI interface unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. What does Preserve Configuration do?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>Preserve Configuration<\/strong> option is used to retain the existing IPMI configuration during the firmware upgrade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. What happens after the firmware reaches 100%?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The IPMI controller automatically reboots after the upgrade. You should wait for the reboot to complete before attempting to access the IPMI interface again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Talk to our experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Looking for the right technology solution for your business? Our team of experts can help you with development, cloud, DevOps, design, and a wide range of other technology needs. Get in touch with our team&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/pheonixsolutions.com\/contact\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) provides remote management capabilities for Supermicro servers, including hardware monitoring, remote console access, and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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